There are programs that teach some or all of grades K-12 without requiring the student to attend a school. For instance, in Louisiana any child eligible by law to attend elementary or secondary schools can participate in a home study program that has been deemed equivalent. While state laws and programs can differ, home schooling is commonly allowed. Contact your state's department of education to inquire about specific programs.
Study from home programs often prepare students who plan to take the General Education Development exam, or GED. Programs such as Kentucky Educational Television's GED Connection help students get ready to take the exam and attain their high school equivalency diploma. Support services are provided through mail, telephone, Internet video streaming and television. This program, and others like it, can be both beneficial and convenient, especially when there are several enrollment sessions per year, which allows students to participate when they prefer.
Perhaps the most popular use of home study programs is for higher education, where college degrees are earned through self-study, either online or through correspondence. One of the most popular of these programs is offered by the University of Phoenix, which offers associate, bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees. Many traditional universities offer online programs through which all or part of a degree's requirements can be completed. Many students who attend traditional universities take advantage of these programs to complete degree requirements over the summer or during a break from school.